The Chilean port of Quintero and adjacent Puchuncaví have made themselves known for their pollution in the 2010s and 2020s. They have together been characterized as a sacrifice zone.[1] The zone hosts the coal-fired Ventanas Power Plant, an oil refinery, a cement storage, Fundición Ventanas, a copper foundry and refinery, a lubricant factory and a chemical terminal.[1] In total 15 polluting companies operate in the area.[2]
In 1992 there was a judicial appeal filed by five women from Puchuncavi against Fundición Ventanas and Chilgener, this was filed against the refinery for the toxic clouds it emitted.[3] In areas near the polluting industries, testing in 1997 showed high levels copper in the soil.[4] High level of selenium and copper were also found in rainwater near the industries.[4] In 2011, Escuela La Greda located in Puchuncaví, was engulfed in a chemical cloud from the Ventanas Industrial Complex. The sulfur cloud poisoned an estimated 33 children and 9 teachers, resulting in the relocation of the school. The old location of the school is now abandoned.[5] In August and September 2018 there was a public health crisis in Quintero and Puchuncaví, where over 300 people experienced illness from toxic substances in the air, coming from the polluting industries.[6]
In 2022 the environmental conditions of Quintero, Puchuncaví and Concón were discussed in the Senate of Chile.[7]
In June 2022 President Gabriel Boric announced Codelco's decision to beggin a closure process of Fundición Ventanas.[7]